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Jesus Lopez
Jesus Lopez began his woodwind studies in 2006 on the Clarinet and Saxophone and soon after Oboe, Flute, and Bassoon. Jesus participated in numerous Solo and Ensemble festivals, All-County, and All-State ensembles in his younger scholastic years. He also participated in the Music for All concert festival in 2011, the Tri-State Festival in 2013, and The International Clarinet Association “ClarinetFest” appearing with the “Licorice Sticks Clarinet Orchestra”. Jesus has extensive experience playing in musical productions, appearing in shows including Les Miserable, Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon, and Chicago - which he premiered with on the China Tour. Jesus studied Clarinet Performance at Valencia College and now studies at Rollins College, becoming very proficient in multiple genres of music. Lopez has studied under Erik Cole, Vanessa Vache, and Tom Dietz for woodwind studies and conducting with Dr.John Sinclair. He now regularly performs in various ensembles, ranging from orchestras to contemporary flamenco. Jesus also actively works with a multitude of youth, middle, and high school music programs in the Central Florida area, whether it be working with the ensembles or adjudicating.
Bill Cunningham
Bill Cunningham is the Director of Bands and Visual Performing Arts Department Chair at Lake Buena Vista High School in Orlando, Florida. Since opening the school in 2021, the Lake Buena Vista Band has already received recognition for outstanding performances in all genres throughout Florida and the Southeastern US. The Viper Vanguard is a multiple time FFCC/FMBC Regional Class Champion, and the concert and jazz ensembles have been recognized as Grand Champions at the Peach Bowl Festival in Atlanta, Georgia.
Previously, Mr. Cunningham served as the Director of Bands at Olympia High School in Orlando where, among many accomplishments, the jazz program more than tripled in size during his tenure. He was privileged to serve as a conductor for the OCPS Middle School all-county jazz band and currently serves as the high school chairperson for the OCPS All-County Jazz festival. He maintains professional affiliations with the Florida Bandmaster’s Association, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education and has served on the Indiana State School Music Association State Board.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Cunningham still plays trombone in many community ensembles in the Central Florida area. Mr. Cunningham earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education (Magna Cum Laude) at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is excited to serve the Orlando community through involvement in OYCE this coming season
Devin Bieber
Mr. Bieber is a bassoonist, educator, business owner, and inventor here in Central Florida. He is also the founding director of the OYCE Double Reed Ensemble. As an educator, he has always strived to get as many students involved in middle school band as possible, and currently teaches the largest band program in Osceola County. Moreover, his private bassoon students have continued to earn positions in Florida’s FMEA/FBA All-State ensembles throughout the years - oftentimes achieving first and second chairs respectively.
One of Mr. Bieber’s biggest passions is the art of reed-making. It was this sentiment that led him to invent dozens of unique double reed products that are currently being used by students, educators, enthusiasts, and top orchestral musicians across the globe today.
It is his belief that oboists and bassoonists should be taught reed-making prior to high school and college, and often introduces the techniques to students at an early age. This has resulted in dozens of proficient reed-makers that have gone on to achieve success and respect within the double reed community.
Charles Hafner
Charles Hafner is currently the Band Director at Southwest Middle School in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Hafner received his B.A. degree in Music from Rollins College and studied clarinet under Patrick Graham and Erik Cole. At his previous school, Mr. Hafner has led the instrumental music program at his school to 250 students, which is close to a third of the total student population. He also taught marching band at Edgewater High School. He has had many experiences playing clarinet with various ensembles, orchestras, and musical productions, including the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Orchestra. A product of OCPS schools, he is proud to serve the community and provide musical opportunities for all students in the community.
Kenya Earles
Mr. Earles received his undergratudate training in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Hecurrently is a bass trombonist in the Orlando area and has spent many years performing around the world in both jazz and classical venues such as the Klaipeda jazz festival in Lithuania, as well as the Tallinn Estonia jazz festival and other various festivals. He was honored to represent the USA as a symphonic wind ensemble performer in the 60th anniversary of D-Day in the Normandy beach landing in France. He has performed for delagtes such Queen Elizabeth, President George W. Bush, French priminister Jacques Chirac, and English Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr. Earles has also peformed with the Omaha Symphony, Nebraska Jazz orchestra and various brass ensembles throughout his career.
Mr. Earles also has an extensive career as an educator in the Omaha public schools, the Council Bluffs public schools, Orange county public schools and also as adjunct faculty with Iowa Western Community College. He also has worked with the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, Orlando Youth Symphony and currently serves as the Director of the Brass Ensemble for the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensembles. He currently has various private students in the Orlando area with students on trombone, tuba and euphonium.
Leo Lamos
A product of Orange County Public Schools, earned his bachelor’s in music
education from the University of Central Florida. He is pursuing a master’s degree in music education from Florida State University. With a teaching career spanning over twenty years, Mr. Lamos has taught both middle and high school students and currently serves as the Director of Bands at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, Florida.
Under his leadership, the band has consistently achieved superior ratings at district and state performance assessments. His commitment to building a strong sense of community and providing students with once-in-a-lifetime experiences in music education is at the heart of his work.
The Florida Bandmasters Association has recognized the band with several prestigious awards for excellence such as the Otto J. Kraushaar and Lewis Jones awards. The band has performed at notable events most recently at the UCF Wind Band Invitational and the Orlando Regional Music for All Festival at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The marching band has made multiple appearances at State Championship finals and has been a frequent finalist at the Bands of America Regional competition in Orlando.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, Mr. Lamos was entered into the congressional record for the Library of Congress and was awarded a certificate of special congressional recognition by Congressman Alan Grayson.
Mr. Lamos is affiliated with several professional organizations, including Phi Mu Alpha, the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Florida Music Education Association, the
Multicultural Network, and the National Association for Music Education. He also serves as chairman of the board of the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble.
Santiago Parra-Romero
A Colombian American jazz musician, composer, and educator known for his expertise on saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He teaches at the Avalon School of Music and leads Josephine Swing, the alumni big band for OYCE. Santiago is proud to be a two-time recipient of the Central Florida Jazz Society Scholarship. Additionally, he has performed at the Dr. Phillips Center, the Casselberry Arts Center, the Blue Bamboo, and the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, and has collaborated with notable ensembles such as the Orlando Jazz Orchestra.